177 Strategies to improve influenza vaccination coverage in at-risk children: The experience of patients with cystic fibrosis

Abstract Background Influenza is a major public health issue, with the primary preventive measure being an annual influenza vaccination. Nevertheless, vaccination coverage among the at-risk population is low. Our understanding of the behaviour of the influenza virus during the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic is limited, meaning influenza vaccination is still recommended for individuals at risk for severe complications due to influenza infection. The aim of the study is to determine the intention to vaccinate against seasonal influenza among the at-risk population in the 2020-21 campaign during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and to analyse the factors which influence such intention. Methods Cross-sectional telephone survey of adults (aged over 18) with risk factors in central Catalonia where the need for the Seasonal Influenza Vaccine (SIV) was recommended. Results A total of 434 participants responded to the survey, 43.3% of whom intended to be vaccinated against influenza for the 2020-2021 influenza season, 40.8% had no intention to be vaccinated and 15.9% were uncertain or did not express their opinion. The intention to get vaccinated against influenza is associated with having dependents, the individual’s perception of the risk of being infected with influenza and the perceived risk of transmission to dependents. It is also associated with age, whether the individual had received influenza vaccine the previous season or any other season before. The best predictors of the intention to vaccinate are the individual’s perception of the risk of catching influenza and whether the individual had been vaccinated in the previous season. Conclusions Intention to vaccinate can be a good predictor of individual behaviour in relation to vaccination. During the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic many individuals are hesitant to influenza vaccination. In order to improve influenza vaccination coverage in people included in risk groups, it is necessary to promote educational actions, especially among those who express doubts.

Download Full-text

Influenza Vaccination in Coronavirus Times: Intention to Be Vaccinated by Primary Care Professionals in Central Catalonia (VAGCOVID)

10.21203/rs.3.rs-607245/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Raquel Muñoz-Miralles ◽

Anna Bonet-Esteve ◽

Anna Rufas Cebollero ◽

Xavier Pelegrin Cruz ◽

Josep Vidal Alaball

Keyword(s):

Primary Care ◽

At Risk ◽

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Vaccination Coverage ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Online Survey ◽

Health Workers ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

History Of ◽

Primary Care Professionals

Abstract BackgroundInfluenza vaccination is the main measure of prevention against the epidemic flu, which annually produces a significant increase in the pressure on healthcare systems, in addition to influencing the absenteeism of health workers. Although it is recommended that health professionals be vaccinated, their vaccination coverage is low. The lack of knowledge about the evolution of influenza in the context of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic led to the continued recommendation of influenza vaccination to people at risk and to professionals. The aim of the study is to determine the intention to vaccinate against seasonal flu of health professionals in the 2020-21 campaign in the context of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, and to analyse the factors that influence it.MethodsCross-sectional study through a structured online survey aimed at Primary Care professionals in the region of central Catalonia.ResultsA total of 610 participants responded to the survey, 65.7% of whom intended to be vaccinated against the flu in this campaign and 11.1% did not yet know or did not answer. The intention to be vaccinated against flu is associated with the professional category, the years of professional practice, the fact of making face-to-face guards, and the perception of the risk of suffering from flu. It is also related to a history of influenza vaccination in the previous year and to having been vaccinated on another occasion. The profile of professionals who intend to be vaccinated against flu includes professionals with a history of vaccination, who were on duty and perceived that their staff were at risk of becoming ill with flu.ConclusionsDuring the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, many professionals show a clear intention to get vaccinated against the flu, but there are still some who doubt it. In order to improve influenza vaccination coverage among health professionals, it is necessary to design strategies aimed at professionals who are hesitant or reluctant to vaccination.

Download Full-text

P077 Influenza vaccination coverage rate in children with cystic fibrosis - a single centre experience

Journal of Cystic Fibrosis ◽

10.1016/s1569-1993(19)30371-6 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 18 ◽

pp. S79

Author(s):

M. Praprotnik ◽

U. Krivec ◽

N. Hace ◽

N. Bahovec ◽

M. Oštir ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cystic Fibrosis ◽

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Vaccination Coverage ◽

Coverage Rate ◽

Single Centre ◽

Vaccination Coverage Rate ◽

Single Centre Experience

Download Full-text

P162 Pneumococcal and influenza vaccination coverage level: data from a cystic fibrosis centre

Journal of Cystic Fibrosis ◽

10.1016/s1569-1993(21)01188-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 20 ◽

pp. S88

Author(s):

E. Hatziagorou ◽

E. Argyropoulou ◽

I. Toulia ◽

E.-A. Chrysochoou ◽

A. Soldatou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cystic Fibrosis ◽

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Vaccination Coverage ◽

Coverage Level ◽

Level Data ◽

Cystic Fibrosis Centre

Download Full-text

Using general practice data to monitor influenza vaccination coverage in the medically at risk: a data linkage study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-031802 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (9) ◽

pp. e031802

Author(s):

Dauda Badmus ◽

Robert Menzies

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

At Risk ◽

General Practice ◽

Influenza Vaccination ◽

Vaccination Coverage ◽

Risk Groups ◽

Medical Risk ◽

Medical Risk Factors ◽

Adult Vaccination ◽

The Impact

ObjectiveTo examine the possibility of using data from a network of Australian General Practices (GPs) to estimate influenza vaccination coverage in Australians medically at risk.DesignData electronically extracted from a large national network of Australian GP clinics (MedicineInsight) was analysed for annual influenza vaccination coverage from 2008 to 2014. We compared the results with the 2009 and 2014 Adult Vaccination Survey. We adjusted for differences in the distribution of age, risk groups and provider types.SettingAll states in Australia.ParticipantsGPs participating in MedicineInsight programme.InterventionsNot applicable.Main outcome measuresAnnual vaccination coverage across risk groups as recorded in Adult Vaccination Survey in 2009 and 2014 were compared with vaccination coverage in MedicineInsight. The impact of National Immunisation Programme expansion of free vaccine in 2010 to cover patients aged <65 years with medical risk factors.ResultsThe proportion of MedicineInsight patients aged ≥18 years and diagnosed with medical risk factors was higher in 2014 (33.2%), compared with the AVS in 2009 (25%). In 2009, influenza vaccination coverage estimates for those aged 18–64 years with medical risk factors was lower for MedicineInsight patients compared with the AVS (26% vs 36%). There was no evidence of any change in coverage between 2008 and 2014, despite the vaccine being available free of charge to this group from 2010.ConclusionGeneral practice databases have the potential to help fill the gap in vaccination coverage data in patients with medical risk factors.

Download Full-text